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"He stole my pencil!"declared Bess turning around and giving him a dissaproving gaze.
"I did not!" Dan defended himslef crossing his arms over his chest in a smooth diffiant motion.
Franz shook his head. "I don't care who stole who's pencil!" he said almost shouting. All the children stopped what they were doing and looked up at Franz. He had never shouted so loud before. Franz was sorry the moment after he had shouted, but enough was enough! "Back to work class." he said in a normal tone of voice.
Everyone opened their readers silently and began reading all exacept Nan. She looked closly at Franz. He had been so angry and upset lately, more than he had even been. Nan wanted to help him but she didn't know how.
Jo pushed with all her might but the attic door would not budge. Nick stood there watching her with great amusment. "Well don't just stand there and laugh at me come up here and help me." exclaimed Jo.
Nick climbed the ladder next to her put his hand on the door and with one swift movement lifted it open. He turned and smiled at Jo.
"I loosened it." she said climbing inside. It was dark and the smell of dust and mold overpowerd her. Jo looked arround there were so many memories up here. She looked at all the trunks each with a name on them. Jo gazed a little longer at Beth's. To this day she still greatly missed her little sister.
Nick noticed where her eyes had landed and quickly opened the trunk that belonged to Jo. "Wow you must have kept every thing that you ever wrote!" exclamed Nick pulling pile after pile of papers.
"I did write alot." she said pulling out an old diary she had kept. She opened it and read. I will never give up my writing it is my dream my life. It is my way of leaving my mark in this world my way of expressing my self. And I know if I don't give up some day I will be famous. But not matter what happens I will never give it up.
Jo sank to her knees besides Nick. Why did she not write any more? What was stopping her now? Nothing really!
Nick placed another pile of papers on the floor. "There are so many stories here you could write a whole case full of books!"
Jo paused a moment then said with greater meaning than Nick knew at the moment. "You're right I could!"
Nick looked at her."Jo?" What are you thinking?" he asked. He knew the look on her face meant she was thinking hard.
"I can't! I don't have the time it's just immposible, isn't it?"
Nick kept taking things out of the box but said "I don't know, maybe if you tell me what you think is immpossible."
Jo looked up. She had not realized that she had said anything. "Oh I was just thinking of writting again. It's silly I know. I mean we have a family to look after and all."
Nick looked at Jo. "I think you should do it!" Jo looked up. "I think you should write a book."
"You do?" she said looking closly at his face.
"I do! You have talent and we both know that if I did not give my approval you would go ahead and write the book anyway. This way if makes it look like we decided this together."
Jo smiled. "I would not!" she said standing and putting her hands on her hips.
"You would too." he said smiling standing and also putting his hands on his hips. Nick laughed at the defeated look on her face and pulled her into his arms. "I know it will be the best work ever written." he said.
Supper that night was as noisy as ever. Jo hated to break to the good conversations going on but she wanted the children to be prepared. "Tomorrow a school inspector will be coming to Plumfield." said Jo turning to look at Franz. Franz's fork fell from his hand and clattered onto his plate.
"What is a school inspector?" asked Nan.
"It's a pain that's what it is!" said Asia.
"It's not that bad. It's a man who comes and makes sure that all you children are learning what you should be, and that the school is running well."
Nan did not see what the proplem with Franz was.
"When will he be coming tomorrow?" asked Franz picking his fork back up.
"He did not say exactly." said Jo.
"Great let's plan the funeral now." said Franz.
Jo looked at him strangly he had never spoken to her that way. Nan looked at the worried look on Jo's face and knew she had to do somthing and she had just the plan. She took every one by surprize when she said that she wanted a meeting of all the school children in the loft right after dinner. Jo, Nick and Franz looked up from their plates but did not say anything.
"I now call this meeting to order!" declared Nan over the bable of every one. Every one stopped mid sentence and turned their attention towards Nan.
"We have to do somthing about Franz." Every body looked at her as if she had lost her head.
"Do what about Franz?" asked Bess.
"He is miserable! Are you guys loosing your eye sight?" Nan could not believe that they had not noticed who upset Franz had been.
"He has been very angry and upset lately." comented Nat.
"Yes and I know why!" Every one looked at her in disbelief. "He needs as wife."
"A what?" asked Dan.
"A wife! You know how we read in class to day about how love changed a beast into a prince? Well Franz has certainly been a beast of late." Every one nodded their heads in aggrement.
"So I think all we need to do is to get Franz a date." said Nan looking at the others for their approval.
"What ever it takes! I can't stand Franz like this!" said Bess. All the others agreed. Nan sighed in relief she was gald they saw things the same way she did.
"But how do we go about getting him a date? Many women have come to see him and he all turns them down without giving them a chance." Nan knew this was true but she thought that if they provided the date Franz would do the rest. "How are we going to get dates to come and see him? Do we just go up to a woman in town and say 'Would you like to date our teacher?'" Nan smiled.
"I just had an idea!" said Nan excitedly. "Let's advertise?" she said.
"Let's what?" they all asked.
"Let's put an ad in the papper about Franz not using his name of course, saying he would like to date a young woman that is kind and caring that loves children and language." Everybody smiled and agreed.
"But he won't allow us to do that, will he?" asked Bess.
"We won't tell him. We will write the advertisment." said Nan.
"I think we should start right away!" said Nat.
"Good!" said Nan. "First we need to write the advertisement." They all sat down and colaberated on it untill it was finished. "O.k. Nat read it out loud." said Nan.
Nat stood cleared his throat and began, "Looking for: a kind woman to share my life with, someone who loves children, and is fond of literature somone with a sweet temperment willing to get to know me."
Nan thought for a second. "I like it. Tomorrow we will take it into town."
"I have an idea let's go for a picnic!" said Nick at breakfast the next morning. All the children agreed it would be a great day for a picnic and a swim in the river! They all looked at Jo to give the final word.
"You all can go if you want to." she said.
"You're not coming?" asked Nick.
"No, I need to get working on my book." she said.
Nick looked at her and sighed. "If that's what you want but it is awuful hot out and it's not as much fun with out you." said Nick sticking out his big lip at Jo.
Jo smiled "No I need to spend more time on my book."
Nick only nodded his head and left the table.
Jo put her pen down and stood. She rubbed her sore neck and looked out the window. It was so hot! Her hair was plasterd to her face with sweat. "Maybe I should have gone with them. It would have been nice to have a swim tonight!" Jo rubbed her eyes and sat back down.
No. Her book was her first priority. Just then Nick came in.
"Jo I brought you these!" he said putting a crystal vase full of wild flowers on her desk.
"Nick they are so beautiful!" said Jo lifting the vase to her nose and inhailing of the rich fragrance.
Nick smiled down at her. "So how's it going?" he asked looking down at her pad of paper on the desk.
"Well very slowly." she admitted. "It's been a while since I wrote last. My hands and well my entire body is just not used to this anymore." admitted Jo.
"Well if there is anything I can do to help just let me know."
Jo looked up at him "Could you put the boys to bed?" she asked.
"Well I . . . you're the one who is good at that. The boys prefer their mother not their father." he said.
"They do not. You can do it the boys will tell you if you are doing anything wrong." said Jo hoping he would agree.
"O.k I'll do it." he resigned.
"Thanks Nick." she said kissing him on the lips then turning back to her book.
Franz turned the wick up higher. He wanted to be sure he had read that correctly.
The engagement is off. I knew it was coming for some time I just never thought it would feel this way. My heart is broken and no one seems to care. My whole life was envolved in his. We spent most of our time together. I feel so lonly. I guess I'll just have to get used to being single.
Franz put the letter down. His heart went out to his sister. He knew just what she was feeling. Lonliness was hard!
Nick walked into the school room. "Sorry to interupt Franz. I just wanted to let you know that I was going to pick up the school inspector he should be here in half an hour."
"Jo's not going to pick him up?" Franz asked.
"No she is working on her book." said Nick. He turned to the children and said. "Do whatever Franz tells you to do. It is very important what the school inspector thinks. He could close us down if we don't run according to the utmost highest standards. Well have a good day in class!" said Nick replacing his hat on top of his head.
"Mr. Wallace?" said Nick above the sound and bussle of the train station.
The man clad in balck walked towards Nick. "I am Mr. Wallace. And you are?" he asked extending his right hand. Nick was caught off guard by the man's cat like green eye's.
"Nick Riley." he said shaking the mans hand. The man grasped his hand and looked confused. "Nick? Nick." he muttered under his breath trying to remember who Nick was. "I'm Jo's husband." he said.
The man looked up. "Oh! Good to meet you Mr. Riley." he said finaly taking his hand out of Nick's.
On the ride home Nick and Mr. Wallace got on beautifuly. "This is such georgeous country!" he comented breathing in deeply of the country air. "Boston is so full of people you can hardly walk down the street with out getting lost." he laughed.
"Have you always been a school inspector?" asked Nick.
"No." the man admitted. "I mean well yes."
Nick looked at him totaly confused.
"I also run a publishing company." he said.
"And which job do you prefer?" asked Nick.
"The publishing buissness." he answered without thought. "But that is not going so well lately." he admitted.
"I'm sorry to hear that." said Nick. "You know" he continued, "My wife is an author." said Nick full of pride.
"Really?" he asked turning to look at Nick.
"Yes she is writting a book as we speak." said Nick.
"Does she have a contract with a publishing company?" he asked egarly.
"No not yet." he said.
"Then she is hoping to get it published?" he asked hopefully.
"Yes." said Nick wondering why he sounded so excited.
"Wondeful I would like to publish it for her." he said turning to look at the country side again.
"But you have not even read it yet." he said totaly confused and surprized.
"If she has been published before that is good enough for me! " he said. "She has been published before?" he asked a little worried.
"Yes a few times." said Nick.
"Good! I'm sure I can put her book on the top seller list." he bosted.
"Well I guarente you will love her work!" said Nick smiling as he thought of some of Jo's stories he had read latley.
"Great!" he said again inhaling of the rich air. "I should have come here along time ago." he said.
Nick ushered Mr. Wallace into the school room. Dan, Nat and Nan were doing math problems on the chalk board. The rest of the students were doing math at their own desks.
Mr. Wallace introduced himself, "I am Mr.Wallace. I will be here for a couple of day to make sure this school is running smoothly. Just pretend that I'm not even here."
The students at the chalk board turned and continued doing their work. One by one they sat down and Mr. Wallace went up to the board and examined their work. Every one held their breath.
"Well done! " he said returning to the back of the room "I would like to comend you. Your students are far ahead of alot of others." he said speaking to Franz.
Franz let his breath out and thanked him. "I would like to hear some oral math done." he said sitting down in an empty chair.
"Of course." said Franz quickly loosing his confidance. Nan noticed the look of fear on his face and volunteered to be the one to do the first problem. Franz was greatful. Nan was the best student he had in math.
Mr. Wallace posed the question and Nan answered with no trouble.
Mr. Wallace smiled. "Well done! That was fantastic!" he said giving Nan a round of applause.
Nan smiled back at him. "I think that is enough for math how about history?" Mr. Wallace continued asking the children oral questions. The children answered with the correct answere most of the time.
Franz just sat back amazed. He had had no idea that they had learned all this. After about half an hour Mr. Wallace said "That is quite enough for today! There will be no more quizes I will just be observing from now on."
Franz sighed it seemed the worst was over! "Would you like to sit up here at my desk? It would be more comfortable. I will just be walking arround the room any way." said Franz rising.
"No I'm going to go inside now. I'm very tired and I want to talk to Mrs. Riley."
"You want to what?" asked Jo almost dropping her cup of tea. Nick, Asia, Meg, Jo, Amy and Mr. Wallace were having tea in the parlor.
"I want to publish your book!" he said.
"Your book?" asked Amy.
"What book?" asked Meg.
"I have been starting to write again." said Jo. "Mr. Wallace you have not even read my book yet. It's not even finished. How did you even know I was a writer?" she asked totaly taken off guard.
"Your husband told me. You see I am not only a school inspector but the head of a publishing company as well."
Jo looked at him blankly still not totaly understanding. "This is just so hard for me to believe." said Jo.
"Your husband tells me you have been published before." he said.
"Yes" said Amy. "She is realy a very accompished writer."
Mr.Wallce smiled. "Good. Would you mind if I take a look at what you have so far?" he asked.
"Sure." said Jo rising to get her book.
Every one sat and awaited his opinion. The room was dead silence. The only noise was the clinking of tea cups and the clicking of the clock in the hall. He turned the last page read it quickly and set the book down on the table beside him. He crossed his legs and arms and sighed deeply.
Jo thought she would go crazy. Nick put his hand over her to try and keep her from rising and doing somthing she might regret.
"Well . . .?" asked Meg.
"I love it!" he excalmed. It's beautiful. It's new, it's exciting it's romantic, and I can't wait to read the end of it!"
Jo smiled. "Do you really like it?" asked Jo.
"Like it. I love it! I want to publish it as soon as possible." he said rising and walking over to Jo. "In fact I want to take you back with me to Boston when I leave to sign the papers."
Jo slowly shook her head. "I'm not even half done!" she said.
"I know, and I leave in two days."
"I'm sorry Mr. Wallce but it will be impossible for me to finish it by then. I have a family to look after and a school to run!" she said.
"Mrs. Riley please!" Nick looked at the look on Jo's face he could tell she wanted to do this very much.
"If Nick would help me maybe I could. If . . ."
"Good!" cut in Mr. Wallace then it is all settled.
Nan filed out behind Bess. School was over for the day. Nick was walking towards the barn looking at a piece of paper.
"Nan, Bess do you know who Mr. Waiting is?" asked Nick.
Nan gasped. "Thats for uh me." she said grabbing the letter and running towards Plumfield leaving Nick behind them shaking his head.
Nan and Bess stoped on the porch and tore open the letter.
"Read it aloud." said Bess. Nan looked around one side of the porch then the other then she sat back down and read. "I also yearn for a companion to share my life with. I was a teacher but am here in town visiting a friend. I love children and literature. I cannot tell you if I am sweet or not. I would really enjoy getting to meet you. Lonley."
Bess smiled back at Nan. "She sounds perfect!" said Bess.
Nan nodded. She did sound perfect. Nan was begining to have doubts about this whole thing. The easy part was over now came the hard part!
Nick lumbered up the stairs picnic basket swinging off his arm. He burst through the door of their room. "How about a picnic Jo?" he asked.
Jo looked around.
"Come on!" he said. "You missed the last one. This time it will be just you and me!" he said walking up until he stood behind her chair. He bent over and whispered in her ear, "The water is the perfect temperature for a late nights swim."
Jo looked up at Nick. "What about the boys?" she asked looking for excuses. "Nan and Bess said that they could handle things for us tonight."
"Oh. I don't know Nick." she murmerd.
Nick held out the picnic basket. "Look inside!" he said cheerful that what she saw would changer her mind. Jo lifted the lid. Dealious arromas met her nose. She searched inside. There was her favorite fried chicken. A lucious bunch of grapes, her favorite kind of sandwich, shiny red apples, and even some pumpkin pie. "I made it all by myself!" said Nick proudly.
Jo shut the lid and put the basket down on the ground. "Nick I can't." she said.
Nick looked at her a little heart broken. "Why?" he asked in such a pitiful voice that it almost made her change her mind.
"Mr. Wallace is leaving in only a few days. I'm not nearly finished!" she pleaded hoping Nick would understand.
Nick looked down at the picnic basket. "Oh." was all he said.
Jo felt guilt wash over her. "Nick please try to understand." she pleaded.
Nick tried to force a smile, "I do." he said trying not to show Jo just how hurt he felt. "Will you at least come down to dinner?" he asked confidant he would not be refused her company at the dinner table.
"I'm not hungry." she said . Nick looked at her quizicaly. "I really need to get more work done." she said turning back to her book.
"I know!" said Nick excited that he might have found the solution. "Let's have our picnic right here!" he said.
"Right here?" asked Jo looking at Nick as if he'd lost his mind.
"Yes right here! right now!" Jo looked into his blue eyes full of excitment. Jo was wondering how to tell him when Mr.Wallace came in.
"Ready to get to work?" he asked Jo.
Jo looked to Nick and said. "James is helping me go over what I have so far." Jo explained. Suddenly Jo's reasons for not going on the picnic were made one hundred percent clear. "All ready!" said Jo pulling out the empty seat next to her. James sat down next to Jo and began to read what she had.
Nick left silently closing the door behind him, trying to shut out the sound of Jo laughing with James but it was hard.
Nick pulled open the covers on Jo's side of the bed. "Come to bed Jo it's past eleven o'clock." said Nick pulling the covers about himself. Jo did not anwser. "Jo." Jo looked around to Nick.
"What? Did you say someting?" she asked.
"I said time for bed it's past eleven o'clock."said Nick patting the bed next to him.
"I just want to finish this chapter." said Jo turning back to her book.
"Well I hope it's a short chapter." said Nick smiling at the look on Jo's face.
"James gave me some great advive." said Jo.
"I'm glad." said Nick trying to mean it. "Hurry up dear. I'm not going to be able to stay awake much longer." Nick said yawning.
"Don't rush an artist." said Jo not looking up from her work.
"I know I'm sorry." said Nick.
Jo did not awknowledge his appology and Nick fell asleep alone to the sound of Jo's pen on paper.
Nick awoke to the common sound of a rooster greating the morning with a lusty call. He rolled over to see if Jo was awake when he did he found her side of the bed the same as it had been when he fell asleep, empty. He looked over to Jo's desk. She was asleep, her head on her desk pen still in hand. Nick got up took the pen out of her hand and carried her to bed. This writting buisness was not somthing he was used to. It was new and he did not know if he liked the affect it had on Jo. He lovingly pulled the covers over her and smoothed the hair out of her face. He knew one thing, he would be glad to have this all behind them!
Glad to have the book out of the way and to have the old Jo back. He just did not know if he could wait that long.
After breakfast Nick took all the children into town. Jo had still not woken up and it was Saturday, and for some reason the children insisted on being taken into to town. The children clamered aboard the back of the wagon."So where to?" asked Nick looking over his shoulder.
"Just drop us off at Gerson's." said Nan.
Nick looked puzzled but asked no questions.
Once in town the children nervously stepped inside Gearson's where they were to meet the woman who wrote the letter. The children looked arround. There was an old couple looking at the yard goods and a woman with a little boy looking at the canned goods. There did not seem to be anyone that looked single and young.
"Maybe she's not comming." said Bess noticing the look on Nan's face. Just then a young woman walked through the door. She was very beautiful. She had reddish brown hair pulled loosly behind her head. She was dressed in a emerald green velvet dress. Her smile was sweet and genuine it was her eyes that were the most remarkable, they were the most brilliant blue Nan had ever seen. There was somthing familar about those eyes. Nan could not stop long enough to think where she had seen such eyes before because Bess was pushing her towards the lady.
Nan tried to open her mouth but she couldn't. The lady then walked up to Nan. She smiled and asked "I am supposed to meet a man here. He is a teacher from around here. I know this may sound strange but I don't even know his name."
Nan smiled. "We know who you are talking about but before you can meet him we need to talk to you."
The woman looked at her confused. "Let's go outside." offered Nan. Looking at all the people in the store. The woman followed Nan and other children outside onto the walkway. Nan explaned who Franz was, who they were, and why they were trying to get Franz a date. The woman smiled the entire time Nan talked. She looked as if she wanted to laugh out loud. This puzzled Nan but she kept on talking.
"Franz is such a great teacher!" said Nan.
"He is a geat guy." offered Dan.
All the children piped in on how loving and gentle and smart and handsome Franz was. The smile on her face only grew larger. "He sounds wonderful!" she said.
"I know you'll love him Miss uh.." Nan stopped realizing that she did not know this womans name.
"Just call me Jessica." she said. "So when can I meet him?" she asked.
"You can come with us right now and meet him." sugested Nat.
"Well as soon as we can get Nick to drive us back." said Nan.
The children hopped out of the buggy while Nick offered his hand to help Jessica out. "Now where is he?" she asked to Nan.
"She sure is eager!" said Tommy to Dan.
Jessica turned and smlied at them. "You all make me feel like his old friend with what you told me about him." she was so close to laughing Nan thought she would burst with the atempt not to.
"He is in the school room preparing lessions for next week." said Bess.
"Good. Let's go." she said. Dan took her arm and led the way. Nan held her breath. What would Franz say? Would he like her? Would he be angry at them for interfering? The second they opened the door. Franz flew out of his seat and excalimed "Jessica! Sister! How good to see you!" Everybody's mouth dropped open.
Franz threw his arms around his sister and gave her a great big hug. "It's good to see you little brother." she said reciprocating the hug.
"You're her sister?!" asked Nan.
"I'm sorry I should have told you right from the start but when I read the note in the paper I knew it was Franz." Nan gave her a look that Jessica interpreted as "Don't say anything." Jessica stopped talking and thankfully Franz was so excited to see his sister that he did not even notice what she had said. "I decided I just had to come visit you. I needed a change from the city life." Franz pulled her close for another hug.
"Come see aunt Jo. She will be so happy to see you!" said Franz taking her by the arm and leading her towards the house leaving all the children in the barn.
That night at supper Franz had never looked haapier sitting next to his sister and Nick had never looked more sad then tonight sitting next to Jo's empty chair. He tried to act happy and normal but his mind kept wandering upstairs where Jo sat next to James working on the book.
After supper the children clamied Jessica's attention for a half an hour telling her about how lonley and upset Franz had been and how they thought a date would do him a world of good. Jessica agreed to help them in any way she could.
That night Nick again pulled back the covers and called Jo to bed and again she said she was to bussy. "I miss you Jo." said Nick.
"Hum?" said Jo not taking her pen off paper.
"I miss you!" he said again a little louder.
"What?" asked Jo sill not looking up. Nick rose and walked over to the desk.
"Jo put your pen down I'm trying to tell you somthing." the tone in his voice shook Jo from her toes. She put her pen down. "Jo don't you think you are spending a little to much time on the book?" he asked hoping she would agree.
"No." she said flatly.
Nick bent down on his knees so he was at eye level with Jo. "Jo I have not seen you for two days!" he said.
"Nick this book is my top priority right now."
"I know but you have been spending every waking moment at it and I miss you." he said looking deep into her eyes.
"Nick, James is leaving very soon and I need to get this finished." she said turning back to her book.
Nick stood. "Jo you have not had a decent nights sleep in two nights! They boys want their mother to give them a bath again, you have not eaten supper with the children in three nights, you would not go on a picnic with them or me. Jo you are spending to much time on the book!"
Jo looked up at him. What he had said rattled her to her core. She could not deny a thing he said. "Nick you are the one who said I should write a book, and you are the one who encouraged Mr. Wallace to publish my work. I thought you were in support of my work, but I guess I was wrong." she said.
Nick looked at her amazed. He had only wanted her to take a break. To open her eyes to how much she was missing, and being missed. He fought back tears and climbed into bed ready to spend another night alone.
Nick awoke to the sight of Jo packing her carpet bag. "Jo what are you doing?" he asked thinking she was running away because of last night.
"Mr. Wallace is leaving today after dinner remember? I have to go with him to sign some papers."
Nick got up. "Oh I thought he was leaving tomorrow. " he said not pretending not to be upset.
"So did I, but it turns out he needs to leave right away." said Jo closing up her bag and putting it by the door.
"She sounds perfect!" said Jessica "Let's get her over here to meet him."
"But how?" asked Nan. "He does not even know about the ad in the paper." Nan sank to the school desk benieth her.
"We bring her over here and introduce her as a frined of mine." Nan smiled it sounded like a good idea.
"Then we leave them alone and see what happens." she said confidantly. "Don't worry. Leave it up to me!" she said. Nan was only to glad to do just that.
Every body steped out of the stuffy church as quickly as they could. The air was heavy and hot. Jo was egar to start her trip but first she had to get home and change and get her bag. The children were anxious to get home for another reason. While Nick was dropping Jo off at the train station they would be introducing what they hoped to be Franz's date for the dace that night.
Jo rushed into the house. She was going to be late and she still did not have her night gown or her book in her bag. She took the stairs two by two and rushed into her room. She found her night gown and stuffed it in her bag then she went over to her desk to pick up her book where she had left it the night before but it was not there. Jo tore the desk apart looking for it. Her heart beat wildly what could she have done with it?
She opened her bag and pulled everything out hoping that she had forgotten that she had just put it in there and she had forgot but the bag was empty and there was no book. Jo was in between getting angry and crying when she could hear Nick coming up the staris.
"Jo what's taking so long were going to be . . ." he stopped. "What happend?
"Nick I can't find my book any where!"
"Well where did you leave it last?"
Jo looked at him angrily, "I had it on my desk this morning before we left for church and now it's gone!" she exclamed. Nick went over to the desk and tore it apart then put it back together but still no book.
"Who would have taken it?" he asked not certain that the book was not it house.
"I don't know!" she cried.
"Wait I know who took it." said Nick. "It was Mr. Wallace I'm sure of it!"
Jo looked at him. She thought about the possibility then shruged it off. "Why would he do such a thing?" asked Jo.
"I don't know it was just a thought." said Nick.
"Well I think your just angry at all the time we have spent together. I never thought you would go as far as to hide my book and blame it on him."
Nick looked at her dazed. What was her problem? How can she turn this arround so fast? Nick asked himself as he stood.
"Well you'll still have to drive me to the train station I'll have to tell Mr. Wallace that the deal is off." Nick followed the steaming Jo down the stairs. When they reached the bottom Amy Laurie and Meg were wating to say "good luck" and "good by".
"Sorry you will have to travel alone." said Meg hugging Jo.
"I won't be Mr. Wallace and I are traveling together." she said hugging Amy.
"But we just saw him at the train station. He said he was leaving on the one o'clock train."
"Yes we were leaving on the one o'clock train to Boston." said Jo giving Laurie a hug.
"Jo he was on the one o'clock train to New York." said Amy.
"New York?" asked Nick and Jo at the same time. "We need to stop him!" said Nick grabbing Jo's arm and pulling her out the door. Meg and Amy followed confused.
"Why?" asked Meg.
"Jo's book is missing." said Nick. Everybody knew what was happening then.
"Take my carrage it's all read to go." said Meg. Nick flew over the side and helped Jo up. "We may be gone for an hour or a couple of days. We are going to get the book back no matter what!" he said.
"God speed." said Laurie.
At the train station Nick flew over to the ticket master and asked if the train to New York had left yet. The man said that the train had just left. Nick banged his fist down on the wooden platform startling the man. It seemed they would have to get on a train and go to New York themselves but by then it could be to late. Just then he had an idea. He hopped into the wagon and pushed the horses full speed towards where the train track ran across the road.
"She's here." said Bess from her post behind the curtains.
"Good now you children go up stairs and I will call you if I need you." said Jessica pushing the children twoards the stairs. Then the knock sounded on the door.
Jessica streghtened her dress and went to the door. She opened it and was greated by a beautiful woman with bolnd hair and blue eye's. "Is this where Mr. Franz Bhaer lives?" she asked trying to see over Jessica's sholder.
"Yes it is. Come in. But before you meet him I have to explain a few things to you." she said guiding her into the parlor.
"I can't hear a thing." said Nan peaking her head through the wooden spokes of the stair railing.
"Don't worry. I'm sure it's going well." said Nat.
"But it's so quiet. What if she left after Jessica told her that he did not write the letter himself. What if she does not like him? What if Franz dose not like her? What if?"
"Pipe down Nan I can hear somthing." said Dan nudgeing her.
"It's Franz, he's here." whispered Bess. They all listened closley.
"This is my good frind Miss Andrea Clark she and I went to school together." said Jessica.
"I don't recall you ever speaking of an Andrea and I would have remembered if I had seen such a lovely face before." said Franz taking her hand and kissing it. "Will you stay to dinner?" asked Franz. "There will only be us and the children I'm afraid." he said.
Andrea smiled her blue eyes sparkeling. "I would love to." she said allowing Franz to take her arm and lead her into the dining room.
"Nick slow down!" said Jo sliping off her seat and onto the floor with a thud.
"I'm sorry Jo but we are going to get your book back right now." he said stopping the horses right on top of the track.
Jo looked at him in amazment. Had he lost his mind? "Nick what are you doing?" she asked.
"We are going to stop the train." he said.
Jo took his hand. "Nick we can do it some other way. We might get killed." she exclamied.
"Get out of the buggy Jo and stand back." he said. "I told you we were going to get your book back and I mean it!"
Jo slowly got out of the buggy. This was all her fault. She should have seen this coming. She had been so mean to Nick and now her book could cost him his life. Jo's heart lurched into her throat she could hear the trains wistle and could see the cloud of smoke. She lept back up into the wagon next to him. "Nick I'm staying with you this is my book so don't look at me that way." she said turning her eyes away from his gaze. They watched together as the train crawled closer and closer. Would they be seen in time? Jo closed her eyes and prayed.
Nick held his breath. He heard the trains breaks screech. They had been seen but would the train slow down quick enough? Jo opened her eyes. She could feel the steam from the train on her face. They watched in amazment as the train stopped just before the front of the train made contact with the buggy. Nick swung over the side.
"Stay here Jo this could get ugly." he said walking twoards the train.
The conductor stepped off the train. "What do you think you are doing?" he asked looking at Nick as if he were a wild man.
"I have bussiness with a Mr. Wallace. Is he on this train?" The conducter backed away from Nick.
"Yes he is on the 3rd car." he said.
Nick stormed to the 3rd car and jumped up the stairs. He burst into the train. There were gasps from the women as they held their chidren closer. Nick scaned the wooden benches. He spoted him. He stormed over to the seat and raised the man by his collar. "Mr. Wallace you have somthing that belongs to my wife." he growled.
"Are you not going to join us?" asked Franz as he sat down and noticed that there were only two seats set at the table.
"No, the children and I ate earlier." she said heading for the door. "You two get to know each other. I am going up to see the children. I promissed to help them with somthing."
Franz squirmed in his seat. Andrea looked at him with kindness and started to ask him about the children. Hours past. They had long ago finished their supper and were enjoying another cup of tea. The candles were getting low and the fire was only glowing embers but neither of them seemed to care. Franz gazed into her eyes. She was so beautiful and so funny.
Andrea found a man she had alot in common with in Franz. He was caring, funny, smart, unlike any man she had ever known.
"When are you going home?" asked Franz hoping it would not be to soon he wanted to see more of this Andrea.
"I leave in two days." she said.
Franz heart sank. That was not a lot of time! He would not waste it. "Would you like to uh . . . I mean there is a . . ." Franz stumbled. He rubbed his neck and looked everywere but into Andrea's eye's. Franz whiped his sweaty hands on his napkin. This was so hard!
Andrea looked at him with pitty and love and patiently waited until he was ready. "Would you like to come with me to the dance tonight?" he asked quickly.
She reached across the table and took his hand in hers. "I would love to."
"I don't know what you are talking about." said Mr. Wallace trying to wriggle himself free from Nicks grasp but Nick would not let go.
"No! Not until you hand it over!" he spat in the mans face.
"I told you I don't know what you are talking about!" he said. Nick felt anger rise. He lifted the man higher off the ground. "Hand over my wife's book. Now!" he said bringing the man closer to his face.
James looked at the fierceness in his blue eye's and thought about giving in but the book ment the survival of his buissnes, he could not just give it up.
"Mr. Wallace I will give you to the count of three to give me the book or else things will get ugly. " he said setting the man back on his feet.
Jo looked into the sky. It had been along time since Nick had gone in the train. What could be taking so long? Was somthing wrong? She hoped not. By this time all the people in cart 3 had filed outside not wanting to be in the middle of what ever was going on. Jo got down out of the buggy and headed twoards the train.
James took the oportunity of being set on his own two feet again. He pulled his fist back and hit Nick in the mouth. Stuned Nick held his hand to his lips. Mr. Wallace struck again hitting Nick in the eye. This time Nick faught back. Punches were flying throught the air. Nick had the advantage of hight and strength and grew to overly confidant. Mr. Wallace took his fist and with all his might punched Nick in the stomache. Nick gasped for air and doubled over.
"Nick!" shouted Jo having seen the last blow.
James took advantage of his weakend conditiong and shoved Nick, hard. Nick flew though the window with a sickaning crash and landed with a thud. Jo felt her anger rise. No one did that to her husband and got away with it. She raised her hand and punched him with all her strength. He fell backwards over a bench and hit his head knocking him unconscience.
"That's my girl!" said Nick.
Having seen from the door what she had done. Jo ran to his arms trembling. She had never hit someone before.
"Let's get your book and get out of here." he said. Jo reluctatnly left the comfort of his arms and began searching for her book.
"Come in." said Nan. They were all waiting in the girls room for the sound of Andreas leaving. Franz peaked his head inside the door.
"Franz sorry to desert you like that but the children needed help with their homework." said Jessica trying to read his face.
"I just wanted to let you know that I will be going out this evening." he said.
"Where?" asked Dan.
"I'm taking Andrea to the dance in town." he said embarresed. He stepped out of the door just before he could see Nan hugging Jessica and Nat and Dan doing a victory dance.
"We did it!" said Nan. "We actualy did it!"
"Nick I need to apoligize." said Jo trying to keep the tears from overflowing. Nick did not say anything. "I'm sorry I treated you so badly this week." she said clutching her book close to her heart. Nick still said nothing so Jo thought he was still angry so she continued. "You helped me fulfill my dream and all I did was ignore you and treat you badly. I behaved like a child. This book means alot to me but not as much as you." she said hoping that he would look at her or say somthing. "I will never be able to forgive myself I only hope you can." the tears flowed now.
Nick stopped the wagon. "Jo I forgive you." he said moving closer to Jo on the seat.
Jo turned to him. "You do?" she asked. He nodded his head. "If there is any way I can make it up to you let me know." said Jo eger to repay him.
"Just let me know if I ever get you angry." he said. Jo looked at him This seemed a wierd request.
"Why?" she asked.
"Because" smiled Nick, "I do not want to end up like Mr. Wallace." The thought of James flying over the bench after Jo had hit him made them both laugh until there were tears pouring down their cheeks.
"There is couple more things you could do." he said putting his arm around Jo. "For starters I want you to get that book published." he said.
"Nick are you sure? I mean after all the trouble it has caused us I was just going to burn it." she said.
"Burn it?" asked Nick astonished. "Jo that book means alot to you. It would have to if you were to miss a pinic with my fried chicken." he said Jo smiled. Nick was so understanding.
"All right I will get it published if that is what you want me to do."
"It is." said Nick. Jo kissed his cheek. "I know it will be a great sucsess!" said Nick.
"Do you really think so?" asked Jo.
"I know so." he said kissing Jo on the lips. "There is one more thing I want you to do." he said.
"What? Anyting!" she said.
"Be my date tonight." he said. It was then Jo noticed that they were infront of the town hall and that she could hear music. Nick hopped out of the bugy and walked over to her side. "May I have this dance?" he asked bowing low.
Jo smiled and reached her hand out to him. "You may." she said being swung gracefuly down by Nick.
"I was hoping you would say that. I have always wanted to dance with a famous author." he said.
Jo sliped her hand into his. "And I have always wanted to dance with my editor." she said being swung off her feet by Nick. Together they danced in the cool of the evening benieth the romantic light of the twinkling stars.